Replies

1. 
   highfigh | Jan 02, 2006 05:26pm | #1

   The PC springs are too stiff, IMO. If you use this router in a router table, it'll push the base right out of the top if it's not attached. I had to remove the springs on one side for a router table at work and it was a lot better, but sometimes the alignment was off, so we decidede to cut them shorter. You could also look around for springs of the same length/diameter that aren't as stiff.

   Just make sure to control the base/head's movement when you separate them- it will try to jump up and could cause damage to one or the other.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/2/2006 9:28 am by highfigh

1. 
   jim1941 | Jan 03, 2006 05:17pm | #5

   Thanks for your reply.  Since I haven't pulled the springs out, I'm not even sure what they look like but your remedy of cutting the springs shorter sounds like a possibility.  How much did you have to cut off to get smooth plunging?

   I don't know anything about buying replacement springs.  Are they graded in some fashion to indicate stiffness?  Anybody had any success getting replacement springs, not as stiff, from PC?

   Thanks.

1. 
   highfigh | Jan 03, 2006 05:39pm | #6

   I don't remember how much we removed, but that particular one was not going to be handheld, so it was more important to work more easily in a table, and that meant raising it without killing ourselves. I don't think the longer adjuster was available at that time. The springs that come with the router are pretty strong and instead of cutting them, you might try removing one instead. Ideally, there would be upward pressure on both sides because it can tilt and that makes any adjustment prone to innacuracy when the lock is set.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

2. 
   forestgirl | Jan 03, 2006 08:25pm | #7

   I like the idea of shortening the springs also, but think it would be highly advisable to follow Pat's (Routerman's) advice and clean, lube, clean, lube first! just to make sure that's all copacetic.  Would be pretty embarrassing to shorten the springs first and have the darned thing floppin' all over the place after it was cleaned, LOL.  (Ok, ok, I exaggerate, but you get the drift.)

    forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   h12721 | Jan 06, 2006 07:06pm | #9

   Is the Router moving up or down OK with out the springs?

   Are the posts parallel?

   Springs,strong or soft!, should not make it move jerky,

   I would not cut the springs, it may not move up completely and ruin your work

   Hilmar

2. 
   forestgirl | Jan 02, 2006 09:01pm | #2

   I have the same problem (not sure if my PC is the exact same model), thanks for asking this question!  I've been thinking it was because I hadn't gone through and cleaned everything.  Got the router used, but from a man who was very meticulous with his tools.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   Routerman | Jan 03, 2006 12:42am | #3

   7529, a step child in the PC inventory. I suspect that since the plunge difficulties are in the last 3rd of plunge travel one or both of the posts may be dinged. A collet wrench would more likely bash itself there. It the tool has ever been dropped you can have plunging problems too.

   Inspect the posts for a ding or scratches. File off a ding, dress the posts with #400 and solvent. Flood them with solvent, then oil, then wipe off all the mess (after many plunges).

   Motor Still jammin'? I'm thinkin' a trade to one of the DeWalts; they have mastered the plunge function. Indeed, if fine plunge control is lost you might as well use it as a fixed base.

    

   Routers

1. 
   jim1941 | Jan 06, 2006 06:41pm | #8

   You are a genius!  Flooded posts with oil and plunged repeatedly.  Marked improvement but still somewhat jerky near the bottom of plunge.  When I removed the subbase and looked at the bottom of the plunge base I noticed that one of the plunge posts has what appears to be a rubber plug that would keep any debris out of the post but the other one was not plugged.

   Is this the source of my problem?

4. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 03, 2006 07:15am | #4

   jim

   I had the same problem with BOTH of my 7529's.  I finally got sick of dealing with it, and recently bought the Bosch plunge.  Very smooth so far.  Only time will tell.

   Jeff

5. 
   RonT | Jan 08, 2006 09:26pm | #10

   Sounds like everyone has had a simular issue with this router regarding plunge. I have a PC 7529  as well, here is what I have discovered.

   This router  has a plunge stroke of 2 1/2". You can plunge the collet, without a cutter,  past the base plate. This is not a lubrication, too much spring length, take a spring out on one side issue. The reason for the eratic plunge stroke towards the end is because at that point the spring is reaching it's maximum compressed state. Trying to set the plunge depth with the spring is the issue.

   What I did was back off on the micro-adjuster so  I could make micro-adjustments in the middle of the spring movement range where the spring is not fully compressed when I reach my plunge point. I then set my height adjuster for the desired plunge depth. The plunge is smooth and easy.

   Hope this helps.

1. 
   jim1941 | Jan 12, 2006 01:07am | #11

   I understand your point about the compression of the springs as you reach the bottom of the plunge but I do not understand your solution in paragraph two.  Could you elaborate.  I certainly would like to have a smooth plunge to routing depth and it sounds like you've solved the problem.... but this old brain is not getting it.

   Thanks.

1. 
   RonT | Jan 12, 2006 05:37am | #12

   Hi Jim

   Back out the micro adjuster screw, this is the screw you turn to make small depth adjustments. To check if you are going into the right direction plunge the router as you back off the screw, you will see a difference in the way the router feels when it plunges. Back off until it feels right.

   Determine your plunge depth and set the height adjustment rod at the depth you want to bottom out. The rod lands on one of the three pins on the front of the router which is what actually stops your plunge. 

   I believe, but not positive, that you can now micro adjust without moving the adjustment rod.

   "Forestgirl" sent me a link to a PC Manual for this router. Should be able to get manual from PC if you don't have one.

   Good luck.

1. 
   jim1941 | Jan 12, 2006 01:56pm | #14

   Ron, thanks for additional info.  Will give it a try and get back to you.

6. 
   tangomike | Jan 12, 2006 10:14am | #13

   I have the 8529, which replaced the 7529 but is still a crappy router. I have never been happy with this router, primarily because of the jerky plunge mechanism that you just detailed.

   My recomendation is to sell it on ebay and buy a Dewalt 621...